Proposal for new behavioral health hospital in Olathe gains initial approval

Plans to create a new behavioral health hospital were approved by the Olathe Planning Commission unanimously this week.

The project, which includes 96 beds for inpatient care, awaits final approval by the Olathe City Council.

According to plans submitted by Phoenix-based NOVO Development, the OASA Behavioral Health Hospital will sit on the northeast corner of Frontier Lane and Fountain Drive, which has been undeveloped land for years.

The property was annexed into the city in 1968. It was platted, or mapped out, in 1988 as part of a development plan. But the project didn’t move forward and the area is currently farmland.

The proposed hospital would be a one-story, 79,700 square foot building with 211 parking stalls. It would include 15,000 square feet dedicated to a medical clinic for outpatient care, according to the proposal documents.

Outside of the building, the plan includes two courtyards, a common space, retention pond area, walking paths and seating areas. Sidewalks and paths will also connect the parking lots, entrances and outdoor seating areas.

Documents say that during construction, a row of existing trees along the eastern property line would be preserved.

Developers plan to create two access points to the hospital on Fountain Drive and on Frontier Lane. Documents say that additional right-of-ways will be required for turn lanes on both roads.